Yusuke Watanabe is a Japanese illustrator for children’s books and a Visual Development Artist for animation. He is also active as a guest lecturer, sharing his expertise through special lectures at art universities. With an academic background in law and politics, Yusuke left a career in sales to follow his passion for art and storytelling. He relocated to the United States to study storytelling at CalArts, where he earned a BFA in Character Animation. Yusuke loves creating whimsical illustrations and stories using mixed media including watercolor, colored pencil, watercolor crayon, and poster color. In addition to his love for art, Yusuke is also an avid chai tea drinker and plant lover. Yusuke(he/him) is represented by Jemiscoe Chambers-Black from the Andrea Brown Literary Agency.

For all book inquiries seeking me as an illustrator, please contact my agent, Jem at jemiscoe@andreabrownlit.com

For anything else which include, but not limited to: visual development or background design for television and feature animation, please reach me at yusukewatanabe@alum.calarts.edu

Thank you!

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HONORS AND AWARDS
・The 17th Annual National Indie Excellence Awards, Book Cover Design: Children's Picture Books Finalist

・The Wishing Shelf Book Awards 2022, Category 2: Books for 6 - 8 year olds Finalist

・Chanticleer International Book Awards 2022 Finalist

・SCBWI DRAW THIS! December 2022 Winner

・Background artist-“Wolf and Cub” directed by Marvin Bynoe-Finalists for its 22nd annual Fine Cut Festival of Films

・Background artist and prop designer-“Unfit” directed by Will Kim-Indie-AniFest, Independent Walk Competition World Premiere 2021

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Exhibition
・The Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators Virtual Summer Conference 2024
・Bologna Children's Book Fair 2024 Virtual Illustrators Wall
・COMITIA 145, Tokyo, Japan, 2023
・The Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators Summer Conference NY 2022
・Art exhibition, Sweet Superposition at the Bell Projects art gallery in Denver, Colorado 2022
・California Institute of the Arts Open Show 2022
・The Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators Winter Conference 2021
・The Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators Summer Conference 2021
・The Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators Winter Conference NY 2020
・California Institute of the Arts Gallery Night 2020
・California Institute of the Arts Open Show 2020
・California Institute of the Arts Open Show 2019
・California Institute of the Arts Open Show 2018

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Invited Lectures
2024 Guest Instructor, Art Department, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, CA
2024 Guest Instructor, Art & Art History Department, Riverside City College, Riverside, CA
2023 Guest Instructor, High-Touch Animation program, CalArts Extended Studies, Los Angeles, CA
2020 Guest Instructor, Bingo Soroban School, Dusseldorf, Germany

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Press and Interview
・Bold Journey : Interview
・CanvasRebel : Interview
・The Postcard Post : Interview
・24700 NEWS FROM CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF THE ARTS : Interview : A FISH CALLED ANDROMEDA
・Book Lover’s Companion : Podcast interview : A FISH CALLED ANDROMEDA
・IndieReader : Book Review : A FISH CALLED ANDROMEDA
・Indie Spotlight December 2022 : A FISH CALLED ANDROMEDA
・The Children’s Book Review : Book Review : A FISH CALLED ANDROMEDA
・Bingo! Soroban School : Interview
・SHOUTOUT LA : Interview
・VoyageLA : Interview
・School With : Blog Series